The source claims that the service has been optimised for the iPhone 5's larger screen, and will support two-finger map rotation and vector-based graphics to cut down on data usage.

Apple replaced Google Maps as the pre-loaded mapping application for its iOS 6 operating system with a first-party service developed in conjunction with TomTom. The service has been widely criticised for the amount of inaccuracies reported.

Google's Eric Schmidt previously downplayed rumours that a new native Google Maps app is in the works for iOS 6 users, but insisted that the internet giant remains hopeful of future collaborations with Apple.